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Experts highlight the 'double-edged nature' of Starlink in the North
Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Date: 2026-10-29 20:00:00.0
Tags: [National, Technology, Infrastructure, Indigenous]The federal government is pursuing made-in-Canada satellite alternatives to Starlink amid network sovereignty concerns and geopolitical risks highlighted by Prime Minister Mark Carney. Ottawa-based satellite communications company Telesat plans to deploy 225 low Earth orbit satellites to compete with Starlink, utilizing a $1-billion launch contract with SpaceX. Meanwhile, academic studies of Northern communities—where Starlink provides download speeds averaging over 100 megabits per second—warn of a 'double-edged' social impact, including accelerated online harms like cyberbullying, gambling, and scams.
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Canada to invest up to $1.6B in Toronto-based AI company Cohere
Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-29 17:12:24.0
Tags: [National, Economy, Technology, Industry, Infrastructure]The federal government of Canada announced an equity investment of up to $1.6 billion in Toronto-based artificial intelligence company Cohere as part of a broader $7 billion funding round led by Germany's Schwarz Group. The funding will support model development, products for regulated industries, and computing infrastructure, with Cohere committing to invest at least $1.7 billion in new computing infrastructure in Canada by 2030. Additional participants in the funding round include Nvidia and BCE subsidiary Bell Canada, ensuring Cohere's incorporation and headquarters remain in Canada.
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N.S. premier’s office scolds professor over comments on AI data centre
Source: Nova Scotia - Halifax & Regional News
Date: 2026-10-28 18:24:41.0
Tags: [Nova Scotia, Energy, Technology, Infrastructure, Environment]The office of Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston filed a formal complaint against Toronto Metropolitan University associate professor Sibo Chen after he publicly raised validity concerns regarding water usage and electricity rate hikes associated with Everwind Fuels' proposed $10-billion artificial intelligence data centre leased to Anthropic. William Burns, a communications adviser in the premier's office, criticized Chen's remarks as irresponsible and lacking local research, while Chen defended his statements as peer-reviewed analysis concerning the general environmental impacts of large-scale data centres. The controversy centers on the massive infrastructure project, which involves a 20-year lease for the U.S. AI company and has faced public scrutiny over its potential strain on provincial power rates and environmental resources.
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Nova Scotia committee to discuss $10B AI data centre planned for Cape Breton
Source: Nova Scotia - Halifax & Regional News
Date: 2026-10-27 12:36:41.0
Tags: [Nova Scotia, Technology, Energy, Infrastructure, Economy, Environment]Nova Scotia’s standing committee on natural resources and economic development is scheduled to discuss EverWind Fuels' controversial $10-billion artificial intelligence data centre project planned for Cape Breton. Announced on October 16, the project features a 20-year lease signed by U.S. artificial intelligence firm Anthropic for an 18,600-square-metre facility in Point Tupper that will draw 95 megawatts of electricity during its initial phase. Opposition parties and legislative witnesses—including Richmond County officials and provincial energy and environment deputy ministers—will examine potential environmental impacts, local water supply strain, and electricity rate implications. Premier Tim Houston’s government maintains that sufficient checks and balances will govern the project and has asserted that household power rates will not increase.
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Boon or boondoggle? N.S. weighs $10B data centre’s promised economic benefits
Source: Nova Scotia - Halifax & Regional News
Date: 2026-10-23 12:02:20.0
Tags: [Nova Scotia, Technology, Energy, Infrastructure, Industry, Economy]EverWind has announced a $10 billion private investment to build an 18,600-square-metre artificial intelligence data centre campus and associated wind projects in Point Tupper, Nova Scotia. The facility will be leased for 20 years to the American AI company Anthropic, starting with a 95-megawatt capacity in the first phase by late 2027 and a planned 325-megawatt expansion by mid-2028. The project is projected by EverWind to create 2,000 construction jobs and 215 permanent positions offering salaries ranging from $135,000 to $185,000 per year across the data centre and four power-generating wind farms.
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Ottawa ‘not responsible’ for regulating AI data centre electricity use: minister
Source: Global News Politics
Date: 2026-10-22 17:21:43.0
Tags: [National, Nova Scotia, Technology, Energy, Infrastructure]Artificial Intelligence Minister Evan Solomon stated before the Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology that the federal government is not responsible for regulating electricity usage by AI data centres, noting that power regulation falls under provincial jurisdiction. Solomon revealed that the federal government has received over 160 proposals for data centre developments and signed memorandums of understanding with approximately four companies. The discussion highlighted a specific $10-billion AI data centre project in Point Tupper, Nova Scotia, being developed by EverWind Fuels with a 20-year lease signed by U.S. AI firm Anthropic, which is slated to draw 95 megawatts in its first phase and expand to 420 megawatts by mid-2028.
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Carney appoints astronaut Jeremy Hansen to advise government on new space strategy
Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-21 22:01:14.0
Tags: [National, Technology, Infrastructure, Defence, Trade, Governance]Prime Minister Mark Carney appointed Artemis II astronaut Jeremy Hansen as a special adviser on space strategy to counsel the Prime Minister and Industry Minister Mélanie Joly on national sovereignty, security, and global contributions. The appointment coincides with Canada shifting its space partnerships toward the European Space Agency and away from American private firm SpaceX, drawing commentary from U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra. Additionally, Defence Minister David McGuinty announced a $20-million agreement for a space launch complex in southern Newfoundland to ensure independent and reliable orbital access during geopolitical tensions.
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Rally urges New Brunswick government to rethink energy plans
Source: New Brunswick - Regional News
Date: 2026-10-20 20:56:59.0
Tags: [New Brunswick, Energy, Environment, Climate, Infrastructure, Technology]Protesters rallied outside the New Brunswick Legislature during the reading of the speech from the throne to oppose government energy and industrial plans, including the proposed Tantramar gas plant, Lorneville data centres, Sisson mine, and the potential re-opening of fracking. Advocates, including the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment and the Save Lorneville group, raised concerns over pollution, public health risks, and an increased strain on utility provider NB Power, noting one proposed artificial intelligence data centre would draw 200 megawatts. In response, Premier Susan Holt stated that her government will enforce stringent draft policy conditions requiring projects to demonstrate no negative impacts on water resources or energy rates alongside clear community benefits before receiving approval.
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‘Just not acceptable’: Backlash grows over Nova Scotia AI data centre project
Source: Nova Scotia - Halifax & Regional News
Date: 2026-10-19 20:13:17.0
Tags: [Nova Scotia, Municipal, Energy, Infrastructure, Technology, Environment]Energy and infrastructure company EverWind announced a $10 billion private investment to build a large-scale data centre campus at its existing Point Tupper site near Port Hawkesbury, Nova Scotia, with AI firm Anthropic signed on as a long-term tenant. The project is planned to begin with an initial 95-megawatt phase in late 2027, scaling up to a full development capacity of 420 megawatts by 2028, and includes a $2 billion investment to advance EverWind's onshore wind energy projects. Opposition parties and community advocates are pushing back, demanding an emergency sitting of the Nova Scotia Legislature due to concerns over public consultation, grid reliability, electricity rates, and water resource impacts.
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New Brunswick data centre debate highlights cross-country tension over AI facilities
Source: New Brunswick - Regional News
Date: 2026-10-19 11:49:46.0
Tags: [New Brunswick, Energy, Technology, Infrastructure, Environment, Economy]New Brunswick Crown-owned electric utility NB Power has received 10 confidential applications from data centre projects requiring up to 900 megawatts of power, sparking cross-country tension and citizen opposition. Notable proposals include a $2 billion artificial intelligence hub by Beacon Data Centers and VoltaGrid featuring a 400-megawatt data centre in Saint John, a $2.7 billion, 375-megawatt proposal by Faster Than Light in Fredericton, and a 50-megawatt campus proposal by U.S. firm Cross River Infrastructure Partners. While the provincial government works on a data centre policy framework to spur economic growth and tax revenue, grassroots groups like Save Lorneville are demanding a moratorium due to environmental and power grid concerns.
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‘They shouldn’t be surprised’: Nova Scotians take stand against major data centre project
Source: Nova Scotia - Halifax & Regional News
Date: 2026-10-17 19:56:27.0
Tags: [Nova Scotia, Energy, Technology, Infrastructure, Environment, Economy]Energy and infrastructure company EverWind announced a $10 billion private investment to build a major data centre campus at its Point Tupper site in Nova Scotia, which will be leased and operated by AI development company Anthropic. The project is planned to launch with an initial 95-megawatt phase in late 2027, expand by 325 megawatts in 2028, and ultimately reach a 420-megawatt capacity, generating up to 2,000 construction jobs and 215 operational roles. However, local residents and protest organizers have expressed strong opposition due to potential impacts on local water supplies from Landry Lake, energy consumption, and lack of community consultation, prompting plans for further demonstrations.
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EverWind announces $10B investment in N.S. data centre campus, wind projects
Source: Nova Scotia - Halifax & Regional News
Date: 2026-10-16 15:57:09.0
Tags: [Nova Scotia, Municipal, Infrastructure, Energy, Technology, Economy]Energy and infrastructure company EverWind has announced a $10 billion private investment to construct an AI data centre campus and associated onshore wind projects at its Point Tupper site near Port Hawkesbury, Nova Scotia. The project includes $8 billion for the data centre and $2 billion for $2 billion in onshore wind development, aiming for an initial 95-megawatt phase in late 2027 and a full build-out capacity of 420 megawatts by 2028. EverWind has reached a long-term lease agreement with an artificial intelligence company and is negotiating a potential ownership stake with a First Nations consortium led by Membertou Development Corporation. The facility will employ a closed-loop cooling system—using an estimated 100,000 litres of water daily in phase one and 500,000 litres daily at full capacity—while EverWind funds all electricity infrastructure costs to prevent ratepayer impact and generates 2,000 construction jobs and 215 permanent operating roles.
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Nova Scotia to host massive data centre to power Anthropic's AI assistant Claude
Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-16 14:00:00.0
Tags: [Nova Scotia, Infrastructure, Technology, Energy, Environment, Economy]EverWind Fuels is developing a massive 420-megawatt artificial intelligence data centre in Point Tupper, Nova Scotia, designed to power Anthropic's AI assistant Claude under a 20-year lease agreement. The project involves $8 billion in private capital funding for the facility and an additional $2 billion for four planned onshore wind farms to supply renewable energy. The two-stage facility will feature a capacity of 95 megawatts in phase one (online by late 2027) and 325 megawatts in phase two (2028), utilizing a closed-loop water-glycol cooling system drawing an average of 100,000 to 500,000 litres of water per day from Landrie Lake. Additionally, a consortium of Mi’kmaw communities fronted by Membertou First Nation is negotiating a nine per cent equity stake in the project.
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Nova Scotia to host massive data centre to power artificial intelligence
Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-16 14:00:00.0
Tags: [Nova Scotia, Infrastructure, Energy, Technology, Industry, Indigenous]EverWind Fuels is constructing a massive 420-megawatt artificial intelligence data centre campus in Point Tupper, Nova Scotia, backed by $8 billion in private capital. The facility will be built in two phases—95 megawatts coming online by the end of 2027 and 325 megawatts in 2028—under a 20-year lease agreement with an unnamed AI tenant. To power the facility, EverWind is raising an additional $2 billion for four planned onshore wind farms, while utilizing existing provincial grid capacity for initial supply and employing a closed-loop water-glycol system drawing from Landrie Lake. Furthermore, a consortium of Mi'kmaw communities fronted by Membertou First Nation is negotiating a nine per cent equity stake in the project.
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Nova Scotia premier defends changing his stance on welcoming data centre proposals
Source: Nova Scotia - Halifax & Regional News
Date: 2026-10-15 18:08:28.0
Tags: [Nova Scotia, Technology, Energy, Infrastructure, Economy, Governance]Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston has defended his policy reversal regarding the approval of data centre operations in the province. In June, Premier Houston stated that data centres would not be approved until major energy generation projects—such as the Wind West offshore wind farms—were completed to handle their high electricity demands. However, in late September, the premier softened his position, citing the federal government's new rules and focus on data sovereignty as the primary catalyst for becoming more open to considering high-tech data centre proposals.
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Province offers satellite internet rebate for some rural Albertans
Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
Date: 2026-10-13 20:06:03.0
Tags: [Alberta, Technology, Infrastructure, Economy]The Government of Alberta, led by Technology and Innovation Minister Nate Glubish, has announced the Alberta Satellite Rebate Program providing a one-time rebate of up to $1,000 for rural households to cover satellite internet hardware, installation, and applicable taxes. The program targets an estimated 10,000 remote households across the province that are currently out of reach for existing broadband expansion projects due to low population density or challenging terrain. The rebate is available through March 31, 2027, and applies retroactively to purchases made since August 11 from authorized vendors. This initiative forms part of broader federal and provincial commitments totaling $755 million to expand high-speed internet access across Alberta.
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Data centres face security risks amid growing strategic value: CSIS
Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
Date: 2026-10-11 19:30:20.0
Tags: [Alberta, National, Technology, Energy, Public Safety, Infrastructure]A May 27 Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) assessment warns that Canada's growing network of approximately 300 data centres faces rising security risks, including cyberattacks, physical threats, foreign ownership vulnerabilities, and supply chain bottlenecks for electrical components. Alberta Technology and Innovation Minister Nate Glubish highlighted the province's push for sovereign computing infrastructure amid multi-megawatt developments, including a proposed Meta AI facility north of Edmonton, an AI centre near Olds, and the Wonder Valley project near Grande Prairie. The data centre market across Canada is projected to more than double over five years to reach US$25 million, prompting scrutiny over foreign ownership, data sovereignty, and robust domestic safeguards.
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Ontario’s World-Class Nuclear Supply Chain Building Canada’s First Microreactor Project
Source: Ontario - Ministry of Energy and Mines
Date: 2026-10-05 21:15:00.0
Tags: [Ontario, New Brunswick, Energy, Technology, Infrastructure, Indigenous]Ontario-based BWXT Canada has been selected to fabricate and deploy Canada's first Transportable Nuclear Power Plant using BWXT Advanced Nuclear Reactor technology for an Indigenous-led 50-megawatt pilot project in Belledune, New Brunswick. Developed by Prodigy Clean Energy under an agreement with Pabineau First Nation and Eel River Bar First Nation, the facility will provide clean baseload power for up to 40,000 homes. The project will create more than 150 development jobs, roughly 40 long-term operational positions, and establish a centralized hub and Indigenous Energy Innovation Visitor Centre.
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2nd potential AI data centre worries Saint John residents: ‘We have questions’
Source: New Brunswick - Regional News
Date: 2026-10-05 20:52:15.0
Tags: [New Brunswick, Municipal, Energy, Technology, Environment, Infrastructure]Residents in Saint John, New Brunswick, represented by the advocacy group Save Lorneville, are raising concerns over a second proposed large-scale artificial intelligence data centre following the revelation of plans by U.S.-based Cross River Infrastructure Partners. The proposed project has initially requested 50 megawatts of network-firm power through correspondence with Opportunities New Brunswick, adding to ongoing public scrutiny over an already proposed 390-megawatt data centre and gas plant at the Spruce Lake Industrial Park by VoltaGrid and Beacon Data Centers. Local advocates and residents have cited a lack of updated regulatory frameworks, unknown impacts on municipal water and electrical grid capacity, and potential risks to greenhouse gas emissions and public health.
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Bell AI Fabric Provides Construction Update in Saskatchewan, Announces $1 Million Mental Health Commitment
Source: Saskatchewan - Government News
Date: 2026-10-01 22:35:00.0
Tags: [Saskatchewan, Municipal, Infrastructure, Technology, Economy, Indigenous]Bell Canada and the Government of Saskatchewan announced construction progress on the 300-megawatt Bell AI Fabric data centre campus in the Rural Municipality of Sherwood, employing over 500 people with the first data hall slated to open in the first half of 2027. The project involves more than 30 local firms, including Dynamo Electric constructing a high-voltage substation and Prairie Steel supplying pre-engineered building systems from Clavet, alongside Indigenous partner businesses from George Gordon Developments Ltd. The first phase could expand toward a potential 1.2-gigawatt Canadian AI infrastructure hub representing over $50 billion in total capital investment, while Bell also announced a $1 million mental health commitment in the province.
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